The Minority in Parliament says the Ghana Education Service’s (GES) explanation for the sharp drop in the 2025 WASSCE results raises more troubling questions than answers.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 3, the caucus described the GES justification as “embarrassing,” insisting that blaming students for the decline is both unprofessional and unethical.

The Minority argues that the service rushed to rationalise the poor performance without examining the Chief Examiners’ Reports.

According to the caucus, the results released by the West African Examinations Council showed “a decline” across all four core subjects—English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies—when compared to the 2024 performance.

They said English dropped to 69%, Mathematics fell sharply to 48.73%, Integrated Science slipped to 57.74%, and Social Studies recorded 55.82%.

They contrasted these scores with the 2024 figures of 69.52%, 66.86%, 58.77%, and 71.53% respectively. What concerns them most, they said, is the “sharp and marked decline” in Mathematics, which had improved consistently from 2022 to 2024 before crashing this year. “The result of 48.73% recorded in this year’s examination is therefore an unfortunate and unacceptable outcome that needs to be examined and rectified,” they stated.

The Minority credited what they described as “pragmatic policies and interventions” under the previous NPP administration for improving learning outcomes between 2017 and 2024. They referenced the 2016 WASSCE performance—English (51.6%), Integrated Science (48.35%), Mathematics (33.12%), and Social Studies (54.55%)—as proof of a foundation they believe the current government inherited.

They accused the NDC government of “retrogressively resetting education in the country” instead of building on the gains. “If they cannot enhance the improved performance bequeathed to them, the least they can do is to maintain it, and not to lower it,” the statement said.

The caucus reserved its hardest criticism for the GES explanation issued on December 1. They said the service’s attempt to link the decline to “candidates’ natural abilities” and heightened invigilation is unacceptable. “How do you come to that conclusion when you have not even examined the Chief examiners’ reports?” they asked.

They said it was alarming that the GES attributed apprehension among students to strict supervision and adherence to examination protocols. “This is very unfortunate and scary. Could it be a reason for the poor performance?”

The Minority argued that while invigilation is necessary to protect the integrity of examinations, it “should not, and must not put fear in the candidates” because fear can negatively affect performance. They questioned why the GES failed to mention any other variables that influence learning outcomes. “Are they suggesting that invigilation and supervision alone are the variables that promote positive learning outcomes among learners? This is sad,” they said.

The caucus called for urgent measures from the Ministry of Education and the GES to reverse the decline. They said the poor 2025 performance—especially in Mathematics—is “discouraging, troubling and unacceptable,” warning leaders in the sector to “provide effective leadership that accepts responsibility and not engage in blame games.”

The statement was signed by Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Ranking Member on the Education Committee of Parliament.